Welcome back to another double header of Ranger Football at home in Croydon this Saturday 28th May.

Starting out in the morning game at 10:30, the Rangers2 hosted the Melbourne Uni Royals. Both teams were looking to bounce back from tough losses and keep pace with the league leading Raiders.

In a tough game in muddy conditions, the Royals got going early and our boys could not keep up with them, ultimately going down 28-12.

In the afternoon, the league leading Bay City Buccaneers come to town to take on the division one Rangers. The Rangers came out firing, scoring early and often to take a commanding lead. As the muddy conditions made the Buccs running game difficult, the Rangers held strong to secure a big win 28-20 and top spot in the standings.

The Croydon Rangers Gridiron Club have had a mixed weekend in round 3, with each team putting up a solid effort for different results.

On Saturday the Ranger 2’s side headed to Corio to face the undefeated Northern Raiders in a showdown for top spot in second division.

The Raiders bolted out of the blocks and put up two early touchdowns on the back of a blocked punt and an interception returned for a touchdown to lead 14-0 at halftime. The Rangers offense started to fire in the second half, sustaining long drives through a solid running game which culminated in a 60 yard dash by Matthew Pitt to close the gap to 14-8.

The Rangers defense were resilient, holding up against the solid Raider offense that ultimately proved too strong and crossed for another touchdown and a final score of 20-8.

On Sunday, the division one side headed to Reservoir to face an old foe, the Berwick Miners. The Rangers jumped out of the block early, scoring a touchdown on the very first drive. Quarterback Mark Ursu (8) found receiver Neale Oliver (11) on a perfect pass for a 7-0 lead. The two would continue to terrorise the Miners in the first half, combining twice more including a long bomb that Oliver caught in the very back of the endzone. Running back Steve Churchill (16) rushed hard all day, weaving through heavy traffic for another score and the Rangers held a commanding lead 28-0 at half time.

The Miners fought back hard in the second half, but the Ranger defense stood strong. Veteran lineback Tom Kinloch (9) lead the way with two fumble recoveries, a sack and also an interception late in the game. The Rangers offense built on the brilliant work of the D to march the field on multiple drives, with Ursu scoring on a QB sneak behind a big push by the O-line, Churchill crossed for another rushing touchdown and fullback Jamie Stafford (19) also got in the act with a touchdown of his own.

The Rangers ran away in the end, 49-0 setting up a tantalising showdown next weekend against the league leading Buccaneers at Ranger Field on Saturday 28th May at 2pm. The Rangers 2 side will face the Melbourne Uni Royals, also at home on Saturday at Ranger Field from 10:30am.